Chapter 173 Extra Story Three

Chapter 173 Extra 3

Feng Yanwen’s due date was in early January, Beijing's coldest season.

Snow began falling in the capital in December. Everyone thought January would be even colder, but by the end of December, the weather cleared up daily, and temperatures rose slightly.

Mother Wang once again pushed her luck. Claiming she wanted to care for her daughter-in-law’s physical and mental well-being, she expressed her desire to come and help with her postpartum recovery. Since she had been taking care of her grandson all along and couldn’t stand being away from him, she hoped Wang Shuanzhu would prepare a room with the fact in mind that she would be bringing the child along.

This wasn’t about helping her daughter-in-law recover—it was just an excuse to bring her grandson over to enjoy a comfortable stay.

Wang Shuanzhu refused again, telling his mother that he had already arranged for someone to assist during the confinement period and she needn’t worry.

Give me a break! His mother was in her sixties and wanted to bring a child along—would she be helping, or would she just be another person to take care of? Her coming would just cause more trouble.

When Feng Yanwen heard that Wang Shuanzhu had turned her away, she could finally relax.

However, they still hadn’t figured out who’d help her after childbirth. Eventually, Feng’s grandma back in Xiaohuang Village called and said that if no one else could be found, she was willing to come and help.

But Feng’s grandmother was nearly seventy, and Feng Yanwen wasn’t about to let her travel all that way.

Later, through a referral, they found a professional postpartum caregiver, and the matter was settled.

Mother Wang, displeased by this, came over to complain to Feng Yanwen, scolding her for being spoiled—hiring both a confinement nanny and a regular maid while she, as the elder, had never been treated so well.

She had heard from others that Feng Yanwen was mild-tempered and assumed she could be easily bullied.

But she had no idea Feng Yanwen wasn’t the same pushover anymore. Fed up, Feng Yanwen shot back, “It’s not like I don’t earn money. What’s the big deal about hiring help? To me, spending a few hundred a month is perfectly normal. At your age, if you got hurt watching my kid, I’d be stuck with the hospital bills.”

Half a year earlier, her mother-in-law had broken her leg, and the surgery cost two thousand yuan. Yet, she had immediately demanded ten thousand from her eldest son. Feng Yanwen had joked to Wang Shuanzhu that his mother was treating it like a traffic accident compensation claim. At the time, Wang Shuanzhu said nothing but later brought up the issue of the family house, insisting that both brothers should have a share.

In the end, they settled by giving her a thousand yuan.

Having failed to profit from her injury, Mother Wang was fuming.

Left speechless by Feng Yanwen’s rebuttal, Mother Wang went home and started badmouthing her daughter-in-law, accusing her of being unfilial and manipulating her son into refusing to let them move in for their old age. People humored her but knew exactly what she was up to—she’d never gotten along with her eldest son. Wang Shuanzhu had lived in a big house for years but had never once offered to let his parents move in.

When Wang Shuanzhu later heard about this, he told Feng Yanwen, “Next time something like this happens, let me handle it. They’ve always favored my younger brother and love stirring up trouble. If she upsets you, just clap back—she’s too old to keep up with you.”

As frustrating as her mother-in-law was, having her husband stand by her side brought Feng Yanwen some comfort.

The delivery room had been prepared early, and the couple had even bought a crib for the baby.

They’d also stocked up on cloth diapers ahead of time, with Sister-in-law Qian handling the task. Tang Ruomei told them about disposable diapers overseas, which required no extra effort once put on. Xu Meng specifically asked Han Jiming to bring some back from Hong Kong, just to be safe.

On December 31st, while everyone was happily eating hot pot together, Feng Yanwen went into labor.

At first, she felt stomach pains and thought she needed to use the bathroom. After some discomfort, she realized she was going into labor. After a brief moment of panic, she calmly finished eating, took a shower, and washed her hair. Only while blow-drying her hair did she tell Wang Shuanzhu, “I think I’m going into labor.”

Even though childbirth would make her sweat, she figured a shower couldn’t hurt.

She had already cut her hair to shoulder length, so drying it was quick.

Wang Shuanzhu, though, was stunned. He knew his wife was due soon, but he hadn’t connected her showering to labor—he had assumed she just wanted to freshen up.

“Don’t move around too much. I’ll go next door and get Xu Meng.”

"Alright, go get Xu Meng first."

Wang Shuanzhu scrambled to get Xu Meng. By the time Xu Meng arrived, Feng Yanwen was lying on the sofa, whimpering quietly in pain. Seeing this, he rushed over to carry her out.

These were just contractions at this point, so Feng Yanwen pushed him away, saying, "No, I can walk."

Noticing how nervous Wang Shuanzhu looked, she added, "It's just contractions. Let’s go while I can still walk. It'll get more frequent soon. Xu Meng, can you grab the delivery bag for me?"

Xu Meng looked flustered too and quickly nodded.

The delivery supplies were packed in a travel bag stored in the wardrobe. Xu Meng found it quickly and brought it out. Feng Yanwen didn’t let anyone carry her—partly because she was too heavy for most people to lift, and partly because carrying her pregnant belly would be uncomfortable. Besides, Wang Shuanzhu had injured his back half a year ago and hadn’t fully recovered. The doctor had said he shouldn’t engage in strenuous activity for at least two years.

Fortunately, they lived downtown, near the maternity hospital. As soon as they arrived, Wang Shuanzhu darted around handling registration, while Xu Meng sat beside Feng Yanwen, squeezing her hand and asking, "How are you feeling?"

After the paperwork was done, a midwife checked on them and told them to wait.

By the afternoon, they were still waiting. Wang Shuanzhu ordered food from outside. Oddly enough, Feng Yanwen had the heartiest appetite—she even took a nap after dinner. But after about an hour, she was jerked awake by a sharp contraction.

Around five or six in the morning, Feng Yanwen gave birth—a healthy baby girl, seven pounds even.

Born on New Year's Day, she was a lucky child.

When the nurse brought the baby out wrapped in a small blanket, she had already been cleaned up. Her skin was wrinkled and reddish, like a little monkey.

"It's a girl, seven pounds and one ounce," the nurse congratulated the father cheerfully. "What a night—over a dozen babies, all girls! Yours was the easiest—your wife had the quickest delivery."

As if worried he’d be disappointed it wasn’t a boy.

Xu Meng sensed the nurse’s assumption and smiled. "Thank you for your hard work."

After a dozen deliveries, the staff were surely drained. Concerned that the father might be disappointed with a daughter, Xu Meng said to Wang Shuanzhu, "Uncle Wang, once Mom is out of the delivery room, go buy some food for the doctors and nurses. They’ve been working all night, and childbirth is a joyous occasion—it’s nice to show appreciation."

In the past, people would give out red eggs, but that wasn’t practical in the hospital.

Wang Shuanzhu was still dazed, and he immediately turned to leave.

Xu Meng, holding the baby, couldn’t help but laugh. "Hold on—she’s not out yet."

Usually, the baby comes out first, followed by the mother.

Wang Shuanzhu was still overwhelmed with joy, his brain on autopilot. If not for Xu Meng’s reminders, he wouldn’t have known what to do. Finally, he looked down at the baby—her face no bigger than his palm, resembling him a little. Her eyes were still closed, but she had already stuck her thumb in her mouth, sucking away.

Wang Shuanzhu was mesmerized. This was his daughter.

So impossibly small.

Xu Meng extended her arms. "Do you want to hold her?"

Wang Shuanzhu shook his head. "You hold her. I’ll just look."

Xu Meng just stared.

Feng Yanwen was brought out half an hour later.

Feng Yanwen was wiped out. When the baby was born, the nurse had woken her to announce the weight and sex, letting her take a quick look before taking the baby away. After that, she was too drained to care about anything else. Pregnancy drains you, and after laboring all night without sleep, she passed out the second the baby was born.

When Feng Yanwen woke, it was past noon.

The nurses beamed at her, and even the woman in the next bed smiled at her.

Feng Yanwen was looking for the baby.

The person in the next bed said, "The baby was crying earlier, and your husband and daughter were afraid of disturbing you, so they took the baby out together."

Feng Yanwen grew a little anxious. "Did something happen to the baby?"

The neighbor in the next bed replied, "Oh, nonsense, what could happen? The baby was probably just hungry and wanted milk. Your daughter took her out to feed her. You’re so lucky—your husband treats you so well."

She eyed Feng Yanwen up and down, seeing she wasn’t young anymore, given that her daughter was already grown. Yet despite having two daughters, it was rare to see a husband fuss over a little girl like that.

Only the next day did Feng Yanwen learn Wang Shuanzhu had sent egg cakes and milk to the nurses' station. Even the woman in the next bed received two palm-sized egg cakes and a small bottle of milk. No wonder the nurses were extra nice to her—it was because of this.

Feng Yanwen didn’t blame her husband for the expense. He normally pinched pennies, so he must have been overjoyed.

Since the baby had been fed formula from birth, they decided to keep using it.

The formula had been prepared in advance. Xu Meng had cautiously insisted on avoiding certain domestic brands. Though no one understood why, they followed her advice.

A vaginal delivery meant she bounced back faster. Even for an older mother like Feng Yanwen, she was able to get out of bed by the second day.

By the third day, the discharge procedures were completed. Outside, the weather was freezing, but Han Jiming had arranged for a car to pick them up, parked right at the entrance. Sitting in the warm vehicle, Wang Shuanzhu started thinking about getting a car—at least it would make things easier for his wife and child in the future. The car Han Jiming drove was a Santana, a cool 200,000 yuan. He’d have to earn more money; otherwise, his family would always have to rely on others for rides.

As soon as they got home, Feng Yanwen let out a contented sigh. "Finally back home. The hospital bed was so uncomfortable."

In the winter of 1991, some residents in Beijing had begun enjoying centralized heating. Changchun Alley had just gotten heating that year, and Wang Shuanzhu had paid the heating bill early. Now, the bedroom was warm and cozy.

The postpartum nanny, Sister Fang, was an efficient woman. She held the baby while Wang Shuanzhu helped Feng Yanwen walk slowly. Even that short distance left Feng Yanwen panting.

After giving birth, she’d lost a step.

Sister Fang said, "For someone your age having a first child, and such a smooth delivery at that, you’ve got good genes."

Feng Yanwen owned her age. Being able to have a child at her stage in life was something to be proud of.

Once back home and lying in her familiar bed, Feng Yanwen let out a happy sigh. "The thing I missed most in the hospital was my own bed. That’s why you should do everything you can to avoid getting sick."

The baby was placed beside her. Sister Fang brought over a bowl of brown sugar and eggs, which Feng Yanwen devoured.

Xu Meng, meanwhile, leaned over the bed, gazing without blinking at her little sister. "She looks much better now than when she was just born."

Feng Yanwen laughed. "She was soaking in water for nine months—no wonder she looked rough right after coming out."

Though Xixi slept about twenty hours a day, the whole family adored her. Even when she was asleep, someone was always watching over her. Wang Shuanzhu treated his newborn daughter like a treasure, holding her like she was made of glass.

Privately, Sister Fang whispered to Feng Yanwen, "Boss Wang is a real sweetheart. The way he cherishes his daughter shows how much he cares for you."

She had heard that her employer was in a second marriage—to marry so well the second time around was pretty darn lucky.

On the fourth day after Feng Yanwen gave birth, Feng Yanwu drove his beat-up truck, bringing Grandma and Grandpa to see their granddaughter.

Though Feng Yanwu had modified the vehicle—adding a canopy to the chicken-transporting compartment—the elderly couple still got jostled around on their ride into the city.

Grandma Feng brought ten free-range chickens and three hundred eggs. When the chicken cages were carried in, it was a real spectacle.

The yard was soon filled with clucking. Xu Meng stared, her jaw dropped.

Both sets of grandparents had been called on the day of the birth to share the good news. The Feng family had timed their visit for after the discharge.

The ten free-range chickens had been raised in their yard since Feng Yanwen’s wedding, less than a year ago. They had just started laying eggs—still too young for stewing—but who’d have thought she’d have a baby so soon?

"I traded for a few older hens—we'll cook those first. The younger ones can be raised a bit longer and kept for laying eggs," said Grandma Feng.

She had already visited her little granddaughter. The little one was so well-behaved, hardly any fuss at all. "Our family’s fortune leans toward daughters. Did Shuanzhu say anything about it?"

When Feng Yanzi had her first child, the Huang family gave her a hard time—they wouldn’t even let her have eggs. Her heart ached for her daughter, and despite eggs being scarce in those days, Grandma Feng brought her a hundred. But as soon as they left, the Huangs cooked them all for their son.

Grandma Feng was furious—not just at the Huangs for bullying her, but also at her daughter for not standing up for herself. So when Feng Yanzi had her second child, she refused to bring any eggs.

Feng Yanwen’s cheeks flushed. "He adores her. Why did you bring so many eggs? He already bought some."

Grandma Feng brushed it aside. "Your sister contributed a hundred, and so did your brother. I figured even if you have enough, your family shouldn’t show up empty-handed. If you can’t finish them, dye them red and share them with the neighbors."

Even her eldest sister gave a hundred!

Feng Yanwen widened her eyes. "Did she strike it rich?"

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